Inside the Mercedes F-Cell ‘buggy’ concept car

The Mercedes F-Cell Concept is an important beginning for future hydrogen-electric fuel cells. At present, the only thing holding fuel cells back is the cost of this impressive motoring technology.

The Mercedes-Benz F-Cell Roadster Concept is a ‘modern’ buggy that celebrates the very first car ever built – the 1886 Benz Patent Motor Car.

Rather than simply getting its passengers from point A to B like the first ‘car,’ this Mercedes buggy is controlled with a drive-by-wire (electronic radio signal) joy stick. Furthermore, it is reportedly equipped with Mercedes’ latest technology.

The F-Cell combines the old time look of large spoked wheels with its carbon-fiber bucket seats and fiberglass body.

This modern Mercedes is powered by a compact 1.2 kW super high-tech hydrogen-electric fuel cell. The top speed of the F-Cell is about 15 mph and its driving range is reportedly up to 250 miles.

Over 150 trainees and dual education system students at Mercedes worked on the overall concept, development, assembly and completion of the F-Cell Roadster. The project included junior employees from the fields of automotive mechanics, model-building, electronics, coating technology, manufacturing mechanics product design and interior appointments.

Regarding the finished project, Mercedes Gunther Fleig had this to say, “This project impressively demonstrates that the topic of sustainable mobility has become an integral part of our vocational training. I am delighted to see how much initiative and creativity the young people have put into this project.”

Mercedes showed off the F-Cell Concept on the ‘concepts lawn’ of the prestigious Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance.

Some day we might be saying: Oh, let’s take the good old hydrogen buggy!